scholarly journals Effect of cervical flexion and extension on thoracic sagittal alignment

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 230949901987699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takamitsu Konishi ◽  
Kenji Endo ◽  
Takato Aihara ◽  
Yuji Matsuoka ◽  
Hidekazu Suzuki ◽  
...  

Introduction: The cervical spine has the largest sagittal motion in the whole spine, and cervical alignment affects the thoracic sagittal alignment. However, the effects of cervical flexion and extension on thoracic sagittal alignment have not been investigated in detail. The purpose of this study was to analyze the change of thoracic sagittal alignment following cervical flexion and extension. Subjects and methods: A total of 55 consecutive patients (42 men and 13 women; average age 49.1 years) who presented to our department with spinal degenerative disease between January 2016 and September 2017 were enrolled in our study. Subjects with a history of trauma, infection, tumor, inflammatory disease, ossification, or cervical deformities, and those who had undergone spinal surgery were excluded. The following parameters were analyzed: occipito-axial angle (O–C2), C2 slope (C2S), C2–C7 angle, T1 slope (T1S), thoracic kyphosis, T1–T4 angle, T5–T8 angle, T9–T12 angle, lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, pelvic tilt in cervical flexion, neutral, and extension. Results: Cervical flexion significantly decreased O–C2, C2–C7 angles and T1S, and increased C2S. Cervical extension conversely changed these parameters. At cervical flexion, the correlation of C2–C7 angle with thoracic parameters was maintained, except for the T1–T4 angle. At cervical extension, the correlation was observed with T1S and T1–T4 angle. Conclusion: Cervical flexion affects the T1S and T5–T8 angle, but there is no significant change in T1–T4 and T9 and lower spino-pelvic columns. This study suggests that T2–T4 can be considered as a stable distal end when cervical long fixation for corrective surgery is performed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Scaramuzzo ◽  
Antonino Zagra ◽  
Giuseppe Barone ◽  
Stefano Muzzi ◽  
Leone Minoia ◽  
...  

AbstractAim of the study was to evaluate sagittal parameters modifications, with particular interest in thoracic kyphosis, in patients affected by adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) comparing hybrid and all-screws technique. From June 2010 to September 2018, 145 patients were enrolled. Evaluation included: Lenke classification, Risser scale, coronal Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS). Patients were divided in two groups (1 all-screws and 2 hybrid); a further division, in both groups, was done considering preoperative TK values. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was conducted. 99 patients were in group 1, 46 in group 2 (mean follow-up 3.7 years). Patients with a normo-kyphotic profile developed a little variation in TK (Δ pre–post = 2.4° versus − 2.0° respectively). Hyper-kyphotic subgroups had a tendency of restoring a good sagittal alignment. Hypo-kyphotic subgroups, patients treated with all-screw implants developed a higher increase in TK mean Cobb angle (Δ pre–post = 10°) than the hybrid subgroup (Δ pre–post = 5.4°) (p = 0.01). All-screws group showed better results in restoring sagittal alignment in all subgroups compared to hybrid groups, especially in hypo-TK subgroup, with the important advantage to give better correction on coronal plane.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 847-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyo Sub Jun ◽  
Ji Hee Kim ◽  
Jun Hyong Ahn ◽  
In Bok Chang ◽  
Joon Ho Song ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: The majority of earlier studies of the parameters of sagittal balance did not consider the influence of spinal muscles on spinal sagittal alignment. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the paraspinal muscle (quantity and quality) and sagittal alignment in elderly patients. METHODS: We reviewed 50 full-spine lateral standing radiographs and lumbar magnetic resonance images of elderly patients at a single center. The radiographic parameters examined were thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, and pelvic incidence (PI). The lumbar muscularity (LM; quantity) and fatty degeneration ratio (FD; quality) in the paraspinal muscle were measured at the L3 level on magnetic resonance images. The relationships between the parameters, LM, and FD were analyzed with the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Pearson analysis demonstrated that the FD had significant correlations with age (r = 0.393), thoracic kyphosis (r = −0.559), pelvic tilt (r = 0.430), sagittal vertical axis (r = 0.488), and PI − LL (r = 0.479, P < .05), and a close negative correlation was found between the FD and LL (r = −0.505, P < .01). The LM had significant correlations with the LL (r = 0.342) and PI − LL (r = −0.283, P < .05). Regression models that controlled for confounding factors such as body mass index confirmed the correlations between the above parameters and FD (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The quality of the paraspinal muscle could be one of the various factors that influence sagittal balance.


Author(s):  
Carlos Eduardo Gonçales Barsotti ◽  
Carlos Augusto Belchior B. Junior ◽  
Rodrigo Mantelatto Andrade ◽  
Alexandre Penna Torini ◽  
Ana Paula Ribeiro

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic scoliosis is accompanied by postural alterations, instability of gait, and functional disabilities. The objective was to verify radiographic parameters (coronal and sagittal) of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) pre- and post-surgery with direct vertebral rotation (DVR), associated with type 1 osteotomies in all segments (except the most proximal) and type 2 in the periapical vertebrae of the curves. METHODS: A prospective study design was employed in which 41 AIS were evaluated and compared pre- and post-surgery. Scoliosis was confirmed by a spine X-ray exam (Cobb angle). Eight radiographic parameters were measured: Cobb angles (thoracic proximal and distal), segmental kyphosis, total kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence, sacral slope, and pelvic tilt. RESULTS: The Cobb angle averaged 51.3∘± 14.9∘. Post-surgery, there were significant reductions for the following spine measurement parameters: Cobb angle thoracic proximal (p= 0.003); Cobb angle thoracic distal (p= 0.001); Cobb angle lumbar (p= 0.001); kyphosis (T5-T12, p= 0.012); and kyphosis (T1-T12, p= 0.002). These reductions showed the effectiveness of surgical correction to reduce Cobb angles and improve thoracic kyphosis. The values obtained for lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence, sacral slope, and pelvic tilt were not significantly different pre- and post-surgery. CONCLUSION: The surgical technique of DVR in AIS proved to be effective in the coronal and sagittal parameters directed at Cobb angles and thoracic kyphosis in order to favor the rehabilitation process.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Motoyoshi Takayuki ◽  
Hirai Takashi ◽  
Yoshii Toshitaka ◽  
Inose Hiroyuki ◽  
Matsukura Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a structural abnormality of the thoracic spine that is known to impair posture. However, the relationship between DISH and sagittal balance in the whole spine is unclear. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of DISH in patients with cervical myelopathy caused by cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) or cervical spondylosis and to compare sagittal alignment of the spine between patients with and without DISH. Methods A total of 103 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of cervical myelopathy due to cervical OPLL or spondylosis were retrospectively enrolled in this single-center study. DISH was defined as an ossified lesion that was seen to be completely bridging at least four contiguous adjacent vertebral bodies in the thoracic spine on computed tomography scans. Cervical and spinopelvic sagittal parameters were measured in whole spine radiographs. Results The study population included 28 cases with DISH [DISH (+) group] and 75 without DISH [DISH (−) group]. OPLL was more prevalent in the DISH (+) group than in the DISH (−) group; however, there were no significant differences in other clinical findings. Propensity score matching produced 26 pairs. C7 slope, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (C-SVA), whole thoracic kyphotic angles, upper thoracic kyphosis, and T5-T12 thoracic kyphosis values were significant higher in the DISH (+) group than in the DISH (−) group. There was no significant between-group difference in the other sagittal spinopelvic parameters. Conclusions This study is the first to compare sagittal alignment in patients with cervical myelopathy according to whether or not they have DISH. Patients with DISH are more likely to have excessive kyphosis in the thoracic spine, a high C7 slope, and a high C2-7 SVA.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshitaka Matsubayashi ◽  
Yasushi Oshima ◽  
Yuki Taniguchi ◽  
Toru Doi ◽  
So Kato ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The parameters of sagittal spinal alignment proposed to date measure only the specific sectional angle or the specific sectional distance of the entire spine. To evaluate the alignment of the entire spine without segmentation, we sought to measure and analyze the slope of each vertebral body from skull to pelvis. The purpose of this study was to confirm the effectiveness of this novel analytic method for the evaluation of spinal alignment that considers the slope of each spinal vertebra using graph and cluster analysis.Methods: Every spinal slope from McGregor’s slope to the sacral slope of 88 patients who underwent standing whole spine radiography was measured. Subsequently, we conducted cluster analysis of each spinal slope to understand the characteristics of sagittal alignment.Results: Cluster analysis of whole spinal slopes did not provide useful results in this study because the number of cases per cluster was small due to the large number of parameters. Therefore, we focused the cluster analysis on only the cervical spine slopes. Then, we categorized cervical alignment into four groups (named Normal, Mismatch, Straight, and Sigmoid) based on the results of the cluster analysis. Patients in the Normal and Mismatch groups were older and had lower lumbar apex (L4), apparent lordo-kyphosis around the thoracolumbar junction, and high thoracic kyphosis (TK). Patients in the straight and sigmoid groups were younger, had a higher lumbar apex (L3), flat thoracolumbar junction, and low TK. There was no significant difference between the four groups with respect to pelvic incidence (PI) or pelvic tilt (PT).Conclusion: We proposed a novel method for visually understanding sagittal alignment. Using this analysis method, differences and similarities of sagittal alignment between each group can be easily identified. More detailed analysis of the whole spine may be possible by increasing the number of cases.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Hwan Cho ◽  
Chang Ju Hwang ◽  
Young Hyun Choi ◽  
Dong-Ho Lee ◽  
Choon Sung Lee

OBJECTIVECervical sagittal alignment (CSA) is related to function and quality of life, but it has not been frequently studied in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. This study aimed to reveal the change in CSA following corrective surgery, compare the cervical sagittal parameters according to curve types, and assess related factors for postoperative aggravation of CSA.METHODSThe authors studied 318 consecutive patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who underwent corrective surgery at a single center. Occiput–C2 and C2–7 lordosis, C2–7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T-1 slope, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar sagittal profiles were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Scoliosis Research Society Outcomes Questionnaire (SRS-22) scores were used as clinical outcomes. Each radiological parameter was compared preoperatively and postoperatively according to curve types (double major, single thoracic, and double thoracic curves). Patients were grouped based on preoperative CSA: the lordotic group (group L) and the kyphotic group (group K). Each radiological parameter was compared between the groups. Related factors for postoperative aggravation of CSA were assessed using multivariate logistic analysis.RESULTSOf the total number of patients studied, 67.0% (213 of 318) and 54.4% (173 of 318) showed cervical kyphotic alignment preoperatively and postoperatively, respectively. C2–7 lordosis increased (from −5.8° to −1.1°; p < 0.001) and C2–7 SVA decreased (from 24.2 to 20.0 mm; p < 0.001) postoperatively regardless of curve types. Although group K showed improvement in C2–7 lordosis (from −12.7° to −4.8°; p < 0.001), group L showed no difference (from 9.0° to 6.9°; p = 0.115) postoperatively. Clinical outcomes were not related to the degree of cervical kyphosis in this cohort. C2–7 lordosis (p < 0.001) and pelvic tilt (p = 0.019) were related to postoperative aggravation of CSA.CONCLUSIONSRegardless of the trend of improvement in CSA, many patients (54.4%) still showed cervical kyphotic alignment postoperatively. C2–7 lordosis and C2–7 SVA improved postoperatively in all curve types. However, postoperative changes in C2–7 lordosis showed different results based on preoperative CSA, which could be related to T-1 slope and thoracic kyphosis. However, clinical outcomes showed no difference based on CSA in this study cohort. Greater C2–7 lordosis and proximal thoracic curve preoperatively were risk factors for postoperative aggravation of CSA (p < 0.001 and p = 0.019, respectively).


2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 387-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jee-Soo Jang ◽  
Sang-Ho Lee ◽  
Jun-Hong Min ◽  
Dae Hyeon Maeng

Object The authors investigate the correlation between thoracic and lumbar curves in patients with degenerative flat back syndrome, and demonstrate the predictability of spontaneous correction of the thoracic curve and sacral angle after surgical restoration of lower lumbar lordosis. Methods The cases of 28 patients treated with combined anterior and posterior spinal arthrodesis were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria included loss of lower lumbar lordosis resulting in sagittal imbalance. Total lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, sacral slope, and C-7 plumb line length were measured on pre- and postoperative lateral views of the whole spine. Postoperative changes in thoracic kyphosis, sacral slope, and length of the C-7 plumb line were measured and evaluated according to extent of lumbar lordosis restoration. Results The mean (± standard deviation) preoperative sagittal imbalance was 64.6 ± 63.2 mm, which improved to 15.8 ± 20.7 mm after surgery (p < 0.0001). The preoperative mean lumbar lordosis was 15.6 ± 14.1°, which increased to 40.3 ± 14.5° at follow-up (p < 0.0001). The preoperative mean thoracic kyphosis was 1.6 ± 10.5° and increased to 17.2 ± 12.5° at follow-up (p < 0.0001). Significant preoperative correlations existed between kyphosis and lordosis (r = 0.628, p = 0.0003), and between lordosis and sacral slope (r = 0.647, p = 0.0002). Postoperative correlations also existed between kyphosis and lordosis (r = 0.718, p < 0.0001 and r = 0.690, p < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions Lower lumbar lordosis plays an important role in sagittal alignment and balance. Surgical restoration of lumbar lordosis results in predictable spontaneous correction of the thoracic curve and sacral slope in patients with degenerative flat back syndrome.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 613-622
Author(s):  
Hyung-Youl Park ◽  
Young-Hoon Kim ◽  
Sang-Il Kim ◽  
Sung-Bin Han ◽  
Kee-Yong Ha

OBJECTIVEFew studies have addressed that dynamic sagittal imbalance can develop distal to the spinal fusion and cause sagittal malalignment, unlike proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) in the proximal portion. The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors between the 2 different types of postoperative sagittal imbalance after long fusion to the sacrum for the treatment of degenerative sagittal imbalance (DSI).METHODSEighty patients who had undergone surgical correction for DSI were included. Radiographic measurements included spinopelvic parameters on whole-spine plain radiographs and degeneration of paravertebral muscles on MRI. Univariate and multivariate analyses for clinical and radiological factors were conducted for respective risk factors. In subgroup analyses, the 2 different types of postoperative sagittal imbalance were directly compared.RESULTSForty patients (50%) developed postoperative sagittal imbalance; of these patients, 22 (55.0%) developed static proximal kyphosis from PJK, and 18 patients (45.0%) developed dynamic sagittal imbalance without PJK. The independent risk factors in proximal kyphosis were greater postoperative pelvic tilt (HR 1.11) and less change in sacral slope (SS) (HR 1.09), whereas there were more fusion levels (HR 3.11), less change in SS (HR 1.28), and less change in thoracic kyphosis (HR 1.26) in dynamic sagittal imbalance. Directly compared with the proximal kyphosis group, dynamic sagittal imbalance was more commonly found in patients who had less correction of sagittal parameters as well as fatty atrophy of the paravertebral muscles. Clinical outcomes in the dynamic sagittal imbalance group were superior to those in the proximal kyphosis group.CONCLUSIONSOptimal correction of sagittal alignment should be considered in long instrumented fusion for DSI, because insufficient correction might cause one of 2 different types of postoperative sagittal imbalance at different sites of decompression. Dynamic sagittal imbalance compared with proximal kyphosis was significantly associated with less correction of sagittal alignment, in conjunction with more fusion levels and degeneration of the paravertebral muscles.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Eduardo Gonçales Barsotti ◽  
Carlos Augusto Belchior B Junior ◽  
Rodrigo Mantelatto Andrade ◽  
Alexandre Penna Torini ◽  
Ana Paula Ribeiro

Abstract Background: Idiopathic scoliosis is accompanied by postural alterations, instability of gait, and functional disabilities. The objective was to verify radiographic parameters (coronal and sagittal) of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) pre- and post-surgery with direct vertebral rotation (DVR), associated with type 1 osteotomies in all segments (except the most proximal) and type 2 in the periapical vertebrae of the curves. Methods: A prospective study design was employed in which 41 AIS were evaluated and compared pre- and post-surgery. Scoliosis was confirmed by a spine X-ray exam (Cobb angle). Eight radiographic parameters were measured: Cobb angles (thoracic proximal and distal), segmental kyphosis, total kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence, sacral slope, and pelvic tilt. Results: The Cobb angle averaged 51.3° ± 14.9°. Post-surgery, there were significant reductions for the following spine measurement parameters: Cobb angle thoracic proximal (p = 0.003); Cobb angle thoracic distal (p=0.001); Cobb angle lumbar (p=0.001); kyphosis (T5-T12, p=0.012); and kyphosis (T1-T12, p=0.002). These reductions showed the effectiveness of surgical correction to reduce Cobb angles and improve thoracic kyphosis. The values obtained for lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence, sacral slope, and pelvic tilt were not significantly different pre- and post-surgery. Conclusion: The surgical technique of DVR in AIS proved to be effective in the coronal and sagittal parameters directed at Cobb angles and thoracic kyphosis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 101-B (11) ◽  
pp. 1370-1378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason P. Y. Cheung ◽  
Christopher H. W. Chong ◽  
Prudence W. H. Cheung

Aims The aim of this study was to determine the influence of pelvic parameters on the tendency of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) to develop flatback deformity (thoracic hypokyphosis and lumbar hypolordosis) and its effect on quality-of-life outcomes. Patients and Methods This was a radiological study of 265 patients recruited for Boston bracing between December 2008 and December 2013. Posteroanterior and lateral radiographs were obtained before, immediately after, and two-years after completion of bracing. Measurements of coronal and sagittal Cobb angles, coronal balance, sagittal vertical axis, and pelvic parameters were made. The refined 22-item Scoliosis Research Society (SRS-22r) questionnaire was recorded. Association between independent factors and outcomes of postbracing ≥ 6° kyphotic changes in the thoracic spine and ≥ 6° lordotic changes in the lumbar spine were tested using likelihood ratio chi-squared test and univariable logistic regression. Multivariable logistic regression models were then generated for both outcomes with odds ratios (ORs), and with SRS-22r scores. Results Reduced T5-12 kyphosis (mean -4.3° (sd 8.2); p < 0.001), maximum thoracic kyphosis (mean -4.3° (sd 9.3); p < 0.001), and lumbar lordosis (mean -5.6° (sd 12.0); p < 0.001) were observed after bracing treatment. Increasing prebrace maximum kyphosis (OR 1.133) and lumbar lordosis (OR 0.92) was associated with postbracing hypokyphotic change. Prebrace sagittal vertical axis (OR 0.975), prebrace sacral slope (OR 1.127), prebrace pelvic tilt (OR 0.940), and change in maximum thoracic kyphosis (OR 0.878) were predictors for lumbar hypolordotic changes. There were no relationships between coronal deformity, thoracic kyphosis, or lumbar lordosis with SRS-22r scores. Conclusion Brace treatment leads to flatback deformity with thoracic hypokyphosis and lumbar hypolordosis. Changes in the thoracic spine are associated with similar changes in the lumbar spine. Increased sacral slope, reduced pelvic tilt, and pelvic incidence are associated with reduced lordosis in the lumbar spine after bracing. Nevertheless, these sagittal parameter changes do not appear to be associated with worse quality of life. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:1370–1378.


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